Zirzi cave is located on the edge of a village at the foot of Mount Zrza Kounkotr, and is characterized by its semi-circular entrance. The cave dates back to the Stone Age when it was used for shelter. Researcher Dorothy Karon excavated the cave in 1988 and discovered many stone tools and animal bones.

Merkaban is located behind Pira Makron Mountain, 31 km west of Sulaymaniyah. The mountain is named after a famous sheikh who is buried there. Snow lovers visit the mountain during summer, when snow is gathered and sold to neighboring villages. Because of the area’s beauty, it has been turned into a resort and there are many tourist facilities available, including a motel and artificial lake.

Shamshara is located 7 km south east of Ranya. Its history goes back 4,000 years to the Assyrian empire, when it was the capital of the region around Ranya and Pishdar. A team of Danish archaeologists excavated the area in 1957.

The cave is located 50 km east of Sulaymaniyah, between Sordash and Dukan. When British forces bombed Sulaymaniyah in February 1923, Sheikh Mahmood sought shelter in Sordash and the Jasna cave. He brought his printing press with him and used it to publish the first edition of the newspaper Banki Haq, or Voice of Rights

This water spring lies 5 km east of Ranya, on the main road to Qala Dez Ranya. Locals believe the spring has medicinal properties that can help to treat some skin conditions.

Gird-i Dieme, meaning the hills of Dieme, is adjacent to Ranya, near the Qalat or Citadel quarter. A Danish-led excavation in 1957 discovered many historical documents and a temple relating to the Warka, Houry and Assyrian eras.

Benari Hajila, meaning the mountain of Hajila, is a tourist area in the Hajilah mountain chain, between Ranya and Chwar Qurna. People visit the area for its fresh water and clean air.

Sartka Citadel lies in the Qashqoli area, where the river meets Dukan Dam. Overlooking the river, the castle was built by Prince Muhammad, Prince of Soran (1837-1813) and parts of its walls and rooms and still intact.

Darband-i Ranya, meaning the Strait of Ranya in Kurdish, is an attractive area located 6 km east of Ranya. The Zé-i Bechuk, or Small River, and Darband’s bridge offer a vantage point for some spectacular views.

Just one km away from Bavel, this site includes several large caves. The caves were the headquarters of Voice of Kurdistan radio and the Kurdish revolution in 1961. There were used again for the same purpose during later revolutions.

Mezari Gor u Gulzer (Kurdish: Shrine of Gor u Gulzer) is a cemetery and lies just 15 km west of Ranya, near the village of Kishan in the valley of Akoyan. The Shrine contains the graves of lover Gor and his mistress Gulzer, lying beside one another. This ancient love story goes back 400 years ago.

Gazzkaban sculptures are located 50 km west of Sulaymaniyah in the river valley near the Risan cave. These sculptures date back to the era of the kingdom of Media. The site consists of a variety of rooms, three tombs, statues and sculptures.

Ga'war strait is situated 45 km to the south of Sleimani city within the Goshan valley in the Qaradagh area. The sculptures are around 4000 years old; the site also contains the statue of the Naram-Sin, the Akkadian King who ruled from 2254-2218 BC.

Located 20 km from Ranya town center, Betwata’s remarkable geography includes springs and waterfalls, gardens and abundant farmland.

Doll-i Akoyan (meaning the valley of Akoyan) and Shawra are located 19 km west of Ranya in a mountainous area characterized by its greenery and scenic views.

Takht-i Khorshid-I Khawer Zamin (Kurdish: Residence of Khorshid) is a tourist area and is located near the town of Betwata, just 20 km west of Ranya. The construction of this monument goes back 2000 years.